Five-day international wine and spirits fair begins in Sanya, Hainan Island

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Industry professionals and enthusiasts from around the world are gathering in Sanya this week as the city hosts a series of events to promote the 2023 Sanya International Wine and Spirits Fair, which begins today and runs until Monday. The fair is a collaboration between the Shanghai International Wine Challenge (SIWC), Concours Mondial de Bruxelles (CMB) and CNSC Sanya International Duty-Free Plaza, with tastings of wine and spirits from around the world among the offerings over the five-day event.

The fair is one of the biggest annual events for the wine and spirits industry in China, and aims to build an international platform for industry professionals to exhibit and trade wines and spirits, as well as develop a culture and appreciation for them among enthusiasts. Events will include masterclasses by SIWC – which hosts one of the top three international wine tasting competitions in Asia – at the CNSC Sanya International Duty-Free Plaza, where respected wine educators Julien Boulard MW, Leon Liang, and Dai Xiaoqun will share their expertise. During the sessions, SIWC will also introduce wines from brands including Enoteca and Duc de Fugue Cognac, in addition to exhibiting some award-winning wines for the first time.

Other events include the Spirits Selection awards ceremony for winemakers, spirit makers, regional industry associations and international experts. Held for the first time in 1994, Spirits Selection by CMB has become a prestigious international event assessing and awarding spirits from around the world. Hosted by the Sanya Tourism Promotion Board (STPB) and CMB, it is the first Spirits Selection event to be held in Sanya.

There will also be a series of tasting tours for fair attendees that aim to create a typical Sanya experience, combining wine tasting and sailing, as well as duty-free shopping at CNSC.

Located on the southern tip of mainland China’s Hainan Island, Sanya, which recently resumed its visa-free travel policy for tourists from 59 countries, is positioning itself as an ideal location for work, travel and leisure. The city is promoting itself as a natural first stop for international travellers to explore other parts of China, with the island boasting a warm climate, mountains and crystal-clear seas, offering a range of experiences for visitors.

Sanya has introduced a number of measures in recent years to increase its appeal to international tourists, with the goal of becoming a global premium travel destination. The city benefits from the Hainan Free Trade Port duty-free policy, with an increase in the number of high-end international wine and spirit brands establishing a presence in Sanya – many choosing the city to launch new products. Wines and spirits have become one of the most popular products in Sanya’s duty-free outlets. Against this backdrop, the 2023 Sanya International Wine and Spirits Fair will serve as a platform for high-end wine and spirits brands and retailers to collaborate in developing the market.